Undergraduate Course: Hydrogeology 1: Applied Hydrogeology (EASC10082)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | Students will gain a knowledge that covers and integrates most of the principle areas, features, boundaries, terminology and conventions of applied hydrogeology. They will gain an understanding of the principal theories and concepts behind the development of conceptual hydrogeological models. They will cover a range of standard techniques for the investigation of hydrogeological parameters. They will be knowledgeable and skilled in the use of numerical data to solve issues in hydrogeology. In addition, they will be able to use both analytical and graphical techniques to predict the movement of groundwater and contaminant transport, as well as be able to produce water balances for catchment areas. Through group-based case studies on real life problems, which the students will present, the applicability of the subject area, its use and its limits are demonstrated. Completing these projects will require the students to appreciate the distribution of groundwater in different hydrogeological environments, requiring a synoptic understanding of hardrock and surface geology, facies interpretation and material characteristics. Finally accompanying the lecture series reference is made to the parameter uncertainty and its impact in terms of risk. |
| Course description |
The course will consist of lectures, tutorials and a field excursion.
During lectures you will get exercises to complete which you can self asses. Tutorials will include demonstrations of the questions set. You can use these tutorial to get feedback on your work and provide a forum to discuss any items which are not clear from the previous lectures.
Attendance at lectures and tutorials is expected and a register will be maintained.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Applied Geoscience Foundations
Chapter 2 Soil description for Applied Geoscience Purposes
Chapter 3 Groundwater Flow
Chapter 4 Groundwater Geochemistry
Chapter 5 Aquifer Investigation Techniques
Chapter 6 Contaminant Transport
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students should show a background in applied science. For non-engineering or non-geoscience students who wish to take the course, contact should be made with the course organiser. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 3,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
63 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
80 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Field excursion (not assessed)
Afternoon field excursion (may be Virtual field excursion) to the River Almond to describe a range of rock and soil types in the field using BS 5930, the British Standards Institution code of practice for site investigations. (Students travel independently to the field site)
Course work 20%
An essay at week 3 on a topical hydrogeology related research theme (chose 1 out of 11 options) and a group presentation per theme. The students have 3 weeks to complete the essay. The essay has a 1000-word limit and expectation of modest extra reading, between 4-10 references per essay. The essay and presentation accounts for 20% of the course work.
Written exam: 80%.
1 hour 20 minutes + 1 hour digital upload exam (+ 1 hour for students with additional time adjustments) in the Semester 1, December exam diet.
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| Feedback |
Weekly tutorials for discussion of voluntary class work and exercises accompanying lecture notes.
In class discussion of unclear points.
Weekly tutorials and test questions.
Student presentation.
Feedback on student essay making 20% of class mark and groundwater contamination exercise making 30% of class mark.
Virtual field course for soil and rock descriptions.
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 1:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of applied geoscience, particularly engineering hydrogeology
- Understand the impact of geology on groundwater distribution
- Understand the geochemistry and the classifications of groundwater
- Understand the key concepts of contaminant transport (diffusion, dispersion, sorption, decay).
- Apply hydrogeological knowledge to a critical analysis of water management issues demonstrated in terms of key case studies
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Reading List
| Please see current reading list for the course at: https://eu01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/readinglist/searchlists |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
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| Keywords | hydrogeology |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Chris McDermott
Tel:
Email: christopher.mcdermott@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Katerina Sykioti
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: Katerina.Sykioti@ed.ac.uk |
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